All about Constitutional Carry

Did you know that your right to carry a firearm could be under threat? For years, the government has placed restrictions on your ability to protect yourself and your loved ones, forcing you to jump through hoops and pay hefty fees just to exercise your Second Amendment rights. But there's a growing movement that's challenging these restrictions and fighting to give you back your right to carry without government interference. It's called Constitutional Carry, and in this post, we'll explore everything you need to know about this powerful movement and its potential impact on the world of firearms.

 A huge trend that has swept through grassroots gun organizations is Constitutional carry. The gun community mobilized more than ever in 2012 after beating back a constant attack on our firearms rights. Coming out of that defense these organizations went on the offense. One of the offensive goals was the right to carry a firearm without having to ask permission, this is known as Constitutional carry.

Constitutional carry used to be known as Vermont carry. Vermont as a state never restricted the carry of firearms by any adult. It was ruled by the State Supreme court that the State’s constitution did not allow restrictions, including licensing schemes. Vermont had essentially been a Constitutional carry state since before the United State’s existed.

Defining Constitutional Carry

Constitutional Carry is by definition the ability to carry a firearm without a restriction in place by the Government. In a Constitutional Carry State, there is no licensing or training required to legally carry a firearm. Some states with unlicensed carry have implemented certain policies that restrict the method of carry or who can carry. Some require you to be 21, others require you to be a resident of that state, and others only allow concealed or open carry.

Isn’t it Dangerous?

It may seem somewhat odd that there is no government required training to carry a weapon, and I can understand why some will see this as dangerous. However, in the States that have adopted Constitutional carry, there hasn’t been an increase in violence or firearms accidents. Vermont is one of the safest states in the Union. There are a few reasons to this.

First off people are still seeking training to know how to use a firearm in Constitutional Carry states. There are more firearms training schools now than ever. I’m a certified instructor in my home state and I am a proponent for unrestricted carry. I know, even if it’s not required, people will still come to me for training. Serious concealed carriers with either seek training out or train themselves. Guns aren’t so complicated that a person couldn’t learn to carry successfully by themselves.

People who carry every day take responsibility for themselves and are likely responsible people. It takes real dedication to carry every single day. Those who don’t take their responsibility to defend themselves seriously are unlikely to carry a firearm, even infrequently.

Benefits of Constitutional Carry

Concealed carry laws have never stopped a criminal from carrying without a license. All it does is prevent law abiding citizens from carrying a firearm. Concealed carry licensing systems can easily prevent people from carrying a firearm to protect themselves. They also leave people vulnerable during the often long process applying and being approved.

The often high costs prevent lower income individuals from obtaining permits. In my state, it costs 112 dollars just for the license. There is also a required class which can cost anywhere from 50 to 150 dollars. The license requires someone to find at least two days to take the class and apply for the license. For some lower-income individuals and families, it would be nearly impossible to miss two days of work. When you take into account that lower income families are more likely to be the victims of a violent crime this is even more insane. The wait can then be up to 90 days while they process the application and mail out the card.

As Doctor King said, “A right delayed is a right denied.”

Constitutional carry makes it possible for hard-working, low-income individuals to protect themselves without undue burden.

Constitutional carry would also reduce government bureaucracy and trim government spending on licensing agencies.

More people would carry firearms, which often results in a lower violent crime rate. In the last decade concealed carry permits have tripled, and in that same time the murder rate has dipped to the lowest it’s been since 1993.

Constitutional carry takes the right to bear arms and returns it to the status of a right. If you need to be permitted to carry a gun it’s a privilege and not a right.  

Successful Transitions

Over 20 states have adopted Constitutional Carry and none of them have had any increase in gun violence or a higher rate of accidents involving firearms. I imagine and hope Constitutional carry will spread like concealed carry did throughout the 1990s. Over time people will accept it as a right, and that a permit will not prevent crime. Hopefully, the Constitution will once again be the Supreme Law of the Land, and carrying a gun won’t require permission.

What do you think about Constitutional Carry?  Let me know in the comments below!